today, president obama saw firsthand the ongoing misery in part of new york city that included a stop on staten island where two and a half weeks after sandy, some residents say they're still relying on the goodness of strangers because there hasn't been enough help from government. deb fayerick is on the story. >> reporter: visitinging the storm avenuaged staten island, president obama named sean donovan to coordinate massive rebuilding efforts. >> he's going to be working with the mayor, the governor, the borough presidents, the county officials to make sure we come up with a strong, effective plan. >> reporter: left out were the core of volunteers. to many here, that is a stinging oversight. >> without them, i mean, no money, no government agency has shown up here to do anything to help us, so these people from the goodness of their heart have come here to help me. >> reporter: after flood waters destroyed nearly everything he owned, he said these strangers from oklahoma gave him strength to take the first step. >> they take out the damaged stuff and allow, if i'm going to, to rest